Victory or Sovngarde

Chapter Twenty-Three

Vilkas took the book from his hands, kneeling down beside him. "This word? It's 'threatened,' Jergen."

"What's that mean?"

"It means that something could happen that would put someone or something else in danger. Like a loose rock on a cliff could fall and hurt someone walking underneath it. There's no guarantee that it will happen, but it could. Do you understand?"

He nodded. "Sort of. Will you read the story to me?"

Vilkas closed the door and glanced at the cover. "Kolb and the Dragon, hmm? This was the first book I read after I learned how to read. It was my childhood favorite."

"Read it, Papa!" said Embla, putting aside her drawing and rubbing her charcoal-covered hands on her dress. "Please!"

Vilkas stood, carried the book with him towards the chair between the children's beds, and took a seat. Both Embla and Jergen settled at his feet, staring at him with intent.

"Won't you join us, love?" Vilkas asked me.

"Of course I will." I dragged another chair and sat down. Within moments of me sitting, Embla got off the floor and crawled into my lap. Jergen copied her actions with Vilkas, and I could not help but chuckle at them. I brushed my hand over my daughter's head, kissing her temple.

After clearing his throat, Vilkas began reading, and as soon as he came to the first choice in the book, the children were arguing about which route to take. Despite their bickering, I laughed.

It was so good to be home.

To satisfy the children, Vilkas read both versions that they wanted, then we put them to bed. I gave them each a kiss on the forehead, then left. After that, Vilkas and I went to our room, where I grabbed the scissors while he grabbed a chair.

"How long has it been since I cut your hair?" I asked him as I started snipping. "Two months?"

"More like three. Since you've been going all over Skyrim to fight in some battle or other."

I knew he did not mean it, but the tone in his voice made him sound displeased. "You know I can't help that."

"I know, Ylva. I know. I miss you, is all."

"And I miss you. I'm just grateful to be home."

"Do you know how long you'll be able to stay?"

"Until they need me. That's all I can tell you."

He sighed, and we lapsed into silence. Bits of dark hair littered the floor around my feet, and the sound of scissors cutting through hair was the only sound passing between us.

"You know I would change it if I could."

Again, he sighed. "I know, but..."

I stopped what I was doing when he did not continue. "But what?"

"I'm just worried that something's going to happen to you. Every general we've had in the last decade has ended up dead, captured by the enemy, or on the run."

"Vilkas, I've spent the last fifteen years running from the Thalmor. I'm finally taking a stand against them."

"I understand that avenging your parents means a lot to you, and I want them to get the justice they deserve, but would they want you to throw away your life for them? They died so you could live."

I put the scissors down and picked up a brush. I smoothed out the ends of his hair, making sure I didn't miss anything.

"Ylva, answer me."